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More automakers are venturing into the humanoid robot industry, and their suppliers are following suit by exploring related component markets. Several automotive parts suppliers, including Aptiv, Versigent, Valeo, and Horizon Robotics, are currently showcasing their latest embodied intelligence technologies and products at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, widely known as Auto China.
Perception technologies used in embodied intelligence are similar to those employed in intelligent vehicle driving systems, allowing solutions designed for vehicles to be adapted for humanoid robots, explained Yang Xiaoming, president for China and Asia-Pacific at Aptiv, a leading provider of automotive connectivity and intelligent systems.
Aptiv is leveraging its extensive experience within the automotive ecosystem to support humanoid robots developed by its embodied intelligence partners, helping them navigate industrial environments and offering tailored technical solutions, Yang added.
The company introduced a range of embodied intelligence technologies at Auto China, including the Pulse perception system, which integrates radar and visual sensing capabilities. The Pulse system offers real-time environmental awareness and dynamic path planning in complex scenarios, enabling robots to operate more safely and efficiently on their own.
China has become the fastest-growing market worldwide for embodied intelligent robots. Aptiv remains optimistic about the significant growth potential of this emerging industry, according to Yang. Although revenue from non-automotive sectors is currently small, the company has maintained strong compound annual growth in these areas, with Yang emphasizing that future expansion into emerging product markets beyond automotive applications will be a key growth driver.
Aptiv has formed strategic partnerships, including collaborations with Vecna Robotics—an AI-driven autonomous material handling solutions provider—and Robust.AI, to develop next-generation autonomous mobile robots and AI-powered collaborative robots.
Versigent, a Swiss supplier specializing in signal, data, and power transmission systems, concentrates heavily on automotive wiring harnesses. The company’s core products are compatible with both vehicles and embodied intelligent devices such as humanoid robots. Qi Song, Vice President and President for China at Versigent, noted that “humanoid robots and autos share many fundamental technologies, including efficient neural systems.” Qi added that their automotive expertise can be quickly transferred to these new markets, fostering long-term growth.
French automotive parts manufacturer Valeo showcased its new technologies and products tailored specifically for humanoid robots at Auto China for the first time. Their offerings include vehicle-grade hardware and software designed for humanoid robots and automated guided vehicles, some of which are already employed in Valeo’s manufacturing facilities.
Most industry supply chains are optimistic about the future of the humanoid robot industry and plan to gradually increase production capacity as they secure concrete orders, Du Qian, head of industrial technology research at Goldman Sachs China, explained in a recent interview.
However, actual orders for humanoid robots still remain relatively small. Du noted, “For industrial-grade humanoid robots, we believe order volumes need to surpass 10,000 units to establish a large-scale supply chain. Small batch orders of a few hundred or a few thousand units are not enough to support widespread industry development.”
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